Stay ConnectedEarn miles without flying. Frequent Miler is all about getting the most out of the loyalty game. You can easily earn hundreds of thousands of points and miles without traveling, then learn how to use those points towards luxury travel.
In this podcast, Frequent Miler founder Greg, and senior author Nick debate current topics in the points & miles world.
Copyright: © Frequent Miler
Full details of the Marriott and MGM partnership are out and can only be accurately described as "a match made in Bonvoyland".
00:00 Intro
01:38 Turkish Airlines status match is back! (Giant Mailbag)
https://frequentmiler.com/turkish-airlines-status-match-get-1-2-years-of-star-alliance-gold-with-very-reasonable-requirements/
04:36 Amex Platinum 150K offer is back! (Card Talk)
https://frequentmiler.com/amxplat/
12:12 T-Mobile Home Internet Moneymaker ("Mattress running the numbers")
https://frequentmiler.com/moneymaking-t-mobile-home-internet-deal-get-150-mastercard-gift-card-portal-earnings/
17:54 JetBlue / Spirit Merger Blocked (Award Talk)
20:59 New Chase Sapphire Lounge at New York LGA (Award Talk)
22:41 Marriott’s marriage to MGM Resorts: A match made in Bonvoyland (Main Event)
https://frequentmiler.com/no-marriott-match-to-mgm-but-elite-nights-live-on-mgm-marriott-partnership-details/
22:51 Marriott / MGM partnership overview
24:19 Partnership benefits
25:15 Why aren't we very excited about this partnership?
25:35 Points transfer at a poor ratio
26:33 Ambassador match is only available to those with invite-only MGM status
27:49 No good status match for anyone but MGM Noir
29:33 Benefits are only scheduled to last through 12/31/24
31:41 What benefits do Marriott Platinum and Titanium members get in Las Vegas?
39:21 Will you earn 3x on the Altitude Reserve when checking out on a website with Apple Pay or Google Pay? (Question of the Week)
Music credit: Annie Yoder
Whether you want to earn airline elite status from the comfort of your couch or switch alliances without starting from scratch, this week we talk about how you can score shortcuts to get the status you want.
00:00 Intro
02:28 Giant Mailbag
02:51 Greg-a-culpa
04:43 Nick-a-culpa: Air France actually does have an award chart
https://viewfromthewing.com/air-france-introduces-new-award-chart-free-stopovers/
07:09 T-Tip
11:53 Card Talk: Frontier Airlines World Mastercard
https://frequentmiler.com/f9/
22:00 Mattress Running the Numbers: SimplyMiles stack for Holiday Inn or Holiday Inn Express
https://frequentmiler.com/simplymiles-spend-100-at-holiday-inn-or-holiday-inn-express-earn-930-aadvantage-miles-loyalty-points/
29:04 Award Talk: AA enhancements
29:50 Apply systemwide upgrades online
30:24 Earn miles when paying for upgrades
31:20 Cancel basic economy and get something back for $99
32:13 Loyalty Point choice benefit
34:58 Main Events: Shortcuts to airline elite status
35:00 What is airline elite status?
38:36 Lots of shortcuts exist
39:36 Having credit cards to get perks
41:56 Earning elite status through credit card spend
47:11 Shopping for status
49:56 Status matches
50:47 American Airlines status match
54:44 Delta status match
56:05 United status match
58:18 Alaska status match
58:38 Turkish status match
01:05:58 Southwest A-list status match
01:08:47 Buying status
01:13:27 Other ways to get elite status
01:17:00 Air France: earn XPs without flying
01:18:29 Question of the Week: Is it safe to complete spending for stuff on 12/31?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
Each member of the Frequent Miler team made predictions for what will happen in loyalty news and credit cards in 2024, but this week we review which of those predictions we think are absolute hogwash and which you can bet your bottom dollar will happen in 2024.
00:00 Intro
01:30 Giant Mailbag
10:42 Award Talk: An Aeroplan cautionary tale
14:20 Follow up on Bonvoyed Awards
https://frequentmiler.com/frequent-milers-readers-choice-bonvoyed-awards-2023-edition/
16:56 Follow up on Deal of the Year
https://frequentmiler.com/deal-of-the-year-2023-2/
18:24 Main Event: Spit-shining our 2024 crystal ball
https://frequentmiler.com/frequent-milers-2024-predictions-for-points-miles-and-travel/
18:30 A look back at 2023 prediction results
22:04 Nick's predictions: Hogwash or cat bath?
24:39 Greg's predictions: Hogwash or cat bath?
28:52 Carrie's predictions: Hogwash or cat bath?
30:38 Stephen's predictions: Hogwash or cat bath?
34:15 Tim's predictions: Hogwash or cat bath?
46:24 Question of the Week #1: Should I reduce withholdings to make estimated tax payments with a credit card?
https://frequentmiler.com/pay-taxes-via-credit-card/
46:19 Question of the Week #2: Does it ever make sense to apply for a card knowing that you'll not get the welcome bonus?
50:49 Question of the Week #3: Have you considered releasing Ask Us Anything as a podcast?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
Between those deals we have identified and those highlighted by readers, which was the single best deal of 2023 in the points & miles space? This week, Greg and Nick consider the contenders and crown a champion.
00:00 Intro
01:14 Giant Mailbag
05:45 Card Talk: Amtrak Preferred Card
https://frequentmiler.com/amkworld/
10:24 What crazy thing . . . did Bilt Rewards do this week?
https://frequentmiler.com/bilt-rent-day-promos-75-150-transfer-bonuses-to-flying-blue-virgin-ihg/
14:44 Earning Bilt elite status
https://frequentmiler.com/bilt-rewards-will-double-elite-status-thresholds-in-2024/
26:15 Award Talk: Choosing a Marriott 25K Cert, 17K points, or something else
32:08 Award Talk: Can't cancel? Then change.
34:39 The single best deal of 2023
35:20 Virgin Voyages cruise deals with points
https://frequentmiler.com/virgin-voyages-7-night-european-cruises-for-only-62k-points/
37:38 Bilt's Hyatt Globalist fast track
https://frequentmiler.com/hyatt-globalist-fast-track-through-bilt-rewards-for-rent-day/
39:56 Bilt's 100% transfer bonus to Air France / KLM Flying Blue
41:33 Bilt's 75-150% transfer bonus to Virgin
https://frequentmiler.com/bilt-august-rent-day-up-to-150-transfer-bonus-to-virgin-atlantic/
42:46 Marriott Homes & Villas 40K bonus with 4 nights (and no minimum spend)
https://frequentmiler.com/incredible-marriott-promo-earn-40000-bonus-points-on-a-4-night-stay/
44:47 Choice Privileges College Gameday deals
50:00 Capital One Travel Sale (Flights and hotels for pennies)
51:40 Capital One Shopping $200 referral bonus for both sides
https://frequentmiler.com/both-sides-now-get-30-when-referring-to-capital-one-shopping/
54:16 30x Lufthansa Miles & More miles per dollar spent
https://frequentmiler.com/wow-lufthansa-miles-more-is-giving-30x-miles-on-booking-com-reservations/
58:20 Reader contributions
https://frequentmiler.com/90k-offers-now-available-both-online-in-branch/
01:04:26 Greg's pick for Deal of the Year
01:08:25 Nick's pick for Deal fo the Year
01:14:49 Question of the Week: Is Nick out of his mind?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
As we close out 2023, we take a moment to honor those loyalty programs that have dishonored their own members with the biggest snafus, most member-unfriendly changes, or other painful devaluations.
00:00 Intro
01:58 Giant Mailbag
04:51 Card Talk: Marriott Bonvoy Bevy & Bountiful cards
https://frequentmiler.com/bonvoybevy/
https://frequentmiler.com/bonvoybountiful/
10:41 What crazy thing . . . did Air France / KLM Flying Blue do this week?
https://frequentmiler.com/amazing-business-class-to-europe-from-13500-miles-one-way/
21:44 Award Talk: Bilt adds Avianca LifeMiles
https://frequentmiler.com/now-transfer-bilt-rewards-to-avianca-lifemiles/
24:48 Award Talk: IHG allows free point transfers between members....well, *some* members
27:27 Finnair Plus announces new award charts and info
https://frequentmiler.com/finnair-plus-announces-award-chart-changes-to-take-effect-in-march-2024/
38:19 Main Event: 2023 Bonvoyed Awards
The Nominees....
39:19: Marriott Bonvoys free night certificates
https://frequentmiler.com/marriott-rules-for-extending-free-nights/
41:19 Hyatt / MGM marriage goes bust
https://frequentmiler.com/hyatt-farewell-cheap-mattress-runs-status-matching/
43:51 Wyndham vacates their high-value Vacasa bookings
https://frequentmiler.com/wyndham-vacasa/
45:41 Delta dumps their devastation
https://frequentmiler.com/delta-elite-shortcuts/
47:52 Chase guts their Pay Yourself Back program
49:07 Air Canada Aeroplan's Etihad alliance goes astray
52:00 Hotels.com becomes 5x less rewarding
56:15 Nominee recap
56:42 Nick's pick for 2023 Bonvoyed Award
59:24 Greg's pick for 2023 Bonvoyed Award
1:02:41 Question of the Week: What is the best thing to do with 80,000 Membership Rewards points before we cancel Player 2's Amex Gold card?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
It's fun to daydream about the flights and hotels we'd love to book with miles and points. This week, Greg and Nick discuss the redemptions they would most like to make if the stars aligned.
00:00 Intro
01:33 Giant Mailbag
06:38 Card Talk: Air France / KLM Flying Blue World Elite Mastercard
https://frequentmiler.com/afklm/
15:45 Main Event: The rewards we want the most
16:35 Greg: Air France La Premier (first class)
18:54 Emirates "new" First Class
19:30 Lufthansa New First Class (if it ever comes to be)
20:04 New Singapore Suites
22:13 Turkish business class nonstop Detroit to Istanbul
23:56 Nick: New Singapore Suites (on a long route!)
25:01 Etihad Apartments
27:18 Qatar Qsuites
28:29 NOT Air France La Premier
39:49 Hotel awards we want
39:54 Mr. & Mrs. Smith
40:32 Post Ranch Inn
41:29 Virgin Limited luxury safari camps -- via Mr. & Mrs. Smith
47:28 Intercontinental Khao Yai
48:20 Ritz-Carlton Al Bustan Palace
49:36 Am SLH property in Santorini
51:02 A luxury safari camp
53:46 A Celebrity or Norwegian cruise
56:24 I wasn't aware that there is a way to book American Airlines with Membership Rewards points. What are the options?
The year 2023 has seen our travels take us all over the world. This week, we look back and discuss our favorite award redemptions of the year 2023 and of all time.
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00:00 Intro
01:35 Giant Mailbag
04:10 Travel Talk
04:28 Alaska wants to buy Hawaiian Airlines
12:00 EU261 claim
14:33 Card Talk : Hawaiian Airlines credit cards
22:30 Award Talk: Avianca customer service might be better than its reputation suggests.
29:30 Main Event: Our favorite travel rewards of 2023
31:05 Special situation: Party of 5 (ANA First Class and LATAM Business Class)
35:34 Qatar QSuites (maybe)
37:06 British Airways Club World Suites
39:35 Air France business class
42:01 Turkish Airlines business class
47:24 Our all-time favorite flight awards
47:31 Etihad First Class Apartments
48:08 Old Singapore Suites / ANA First Class flight
50:29 Our favorite hotel redemptions of 2023
50:38 Eichert's Private Hotel in Queenstown, NZ (SLH via Hyatt)
52:11 Grand Hotel Victoria in Menaggio, Italy (on Lake Como) (SLH via Hyatt)
54:13 Kona Seaside Yacht Villa through Vacasa (Wyndham Rewards)
57:27 Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, Florida
1:00:57 Greg honorable mentions: VIlla Copenhagen; Kimpton Fitzroy; Ventana Big Sur, Inn at Bay Harbor
1:02:57 Comfort Hotel Bolivar in Rome, Hyatt Regency Nice
1:04:44 Our all-time favorite hotel awards
1:05:48 Necker Island
1:09:36 St Regis Bora Bora
1:13:14 Non-flight or hotel rewards
1:13:30 BLADE helicopter flight
1:15:45 Cruising for free thanks to casino status matching
1:20:11 Which cards are worth getting in the hopes that they get grandfathered?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
Extreme Rewards via Extreme Stacking: Stack portal rewards, category bonuses, and much more to take your shopping to the next level.
"Free" up your companion by powering up to Companion Pass status. The timing is right, but be sure that you time the bonuses properly to score free travel for a companion for almost all of next year and all of the year after.
00:00 Intro
01:45 Giant Mailbag
https://frequentmiler.com/best-credit-card-sign-up-offers/
04:04 Card Talk: Southwest Rapid Rewards credit cards
05:10 Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus card
08:00 Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier card
08:30 Southwest Rapid Rewards Priority Card
14:41 Southwest Rapid Rewards Premier Business
15:26 Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business
19:28 What crazy thing . . . did Capital One Shopping do this week?
25:20 Mattress running the numbers: Which is better: the 15% Avianca LifeMiles transfer bonus or 165% purchase bonus
33:38 Award Talk: Should you book Southwest flights via the Chase Travel portal?
44:14 Main Event: Your companion is now free to move about the country
44:32 Overview of the Companion Pass
1:16:48 Question of the Week: Help! How do I find partner awards bookable with my airline miles?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
Maximize your charitable giving by earning a great return while doing good in the world. From ways to give without causing your favorite charity to incur processing fees to ways to earn thousands of points for your donation, this week we talk about how to do your charitable deeds (better).
00:00 Intro
01:13 Giant Mailbag
03:32 Giant Mailbag #2: United Quest card details
07:22 Card Talk: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card & Capital One Venture X Business Credit Card
https://frequentmiler.com/venturex/
https://frequentmiler.com/VentureXBiz/#Goto
18:35 What crazy thing . . . did Marriott do this week?
23:27 Award Talk
23:28 Alaska Mileage Plan March 2024 changes
https://frequentmiler.com/huge-alaska-announces-unified-award-charts/
https://frequentmiler.com/new-alaska-award-chart-winners-losers-and-sweet-spots/
https://frequentmiler.com/alaska-us-anything-we-discuss-the-new-alaska-award-chart-video/
37:06 Do you want to collect Alaska miles now?
39:06 Award Talk: Use JetBlue points to book Qatar flights
https://frequentmiler.com/book-qatar-flights-with-jetblue-trueblue-points/
42:15 Award Talk: Marriott free night certificate inside info
https://frequentmiler.com/marriott-rules-for-extending-free-nights/
46:55 Main Event: A good deed is its own reward, but we can do better.
47:15 How do you find charities that do good? (search tools)
48:20 GiveWell
50:03 PayPay Giving Fund
52:15 Kiva Microloans
https://frequentmiler.com/why-i-love-kiva-for-earning-rewards-and-doing-good/
55:29 How do you earn rewards on charitable gifts?
55:47 Ways to earn miles for donating through airline programs, etc
56:48 Credit Card Rewards
46:49 US Bank cards that earn 2x on charitable donations....meh
58:13 Bank of America 2.62% cash back
58:48 Credit Card Big Spend Bonuses
https://frequentmiler.com/best-big-spend-bonuses/
1:00:25 Buying Visa or Mastercard gift cards and using them to donate
1:03:17 Earn a new card welcome bonus
https://frequentmiler.com/best-credit-card-sign-up-offers/
1:06:25 Donating miles and points
1:08:20 Earn Air France elite credit
1:09:38 Question of the Week: Is it worth it to travel to Australia for just a week?
Music credit: Annie Yoder
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